Images: Federer crashes out, Nadal in semis

Berdych ends Federer's Wimbledon reign

Crisp-hitting Czech Tomas Berdych claimed the biggest win of his career on Wednesday when he stunned six-times champion Roger Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

Federer was simply outplayed by his 24-year-old opponent, who consigned the Swiss maestro to his earliest defeat at the All England Club since 2002 and became the first Czech to reach the semi-finals since Ivan Lendl in 1990.

"It's amazing to play in this stadium, such a great player Roger is, it's amazing," said the 12th-seeded Berdych after the two hour 35 minute contest.

'I didn't come up with the good stuff when I had to'

Struggling for the fluency and finesse that has marked his reign at the All England Club, Federer crumbled in four sets to Czech Berdych, and Sunday's final, the first without the Swiss since 2002, will have a surreal feel to it.

"I was just not able to defend well enough and I didn't come up with the good stuff when I had to. It was disappointing," Federer said.

His defeat in the last eight at Roland Garros earlier this month halted a run of 23 consecutive semi-finals in the majors, and his loss here was his first before the final since 2002.

"Quarters is a decent result. Obviously people think quarters is shocking, but people would die to play in the quarter-final stages of Grand Slam play.

"It's not something I'm used to doing, losing in quarter-finals, it's not something I've done in the last six years. I was struggling with my own game and with my physique.

Nadal tames Soderling

World number one Rafael Nadal overcame a slow start to tame Swede Robin Soderling 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1 and reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

Spaniard Nadal, who also saw off Soderling's challenge in the French Open final earlier this month, squandered his first match point before sealing victory with a trademark rasping forehand down the line.

The former champion, who missed last year's Wimbledon with knee problems, will face either Britain's Andy Murray or Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semis.

"I started so, so but Soderling was playing very long and powerful," second seed Nadal told reporters.

"I had some problems at the start of the second set with the break point, I play it well and after that I think the match changed a lot."